Species Details
Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NamePrairie Bird-dropping Moth
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta in late June.
IdentificationA small (approx. 2 cm wingspan) bright white moth with the outer half of the forewing crossed by a broad dark brown and grey band except for the costa, which is white for two-thirds of its length and divided at the mid-point by an orange patch. There is a round dark spot ringed with paler scales at the end of the disc. The hindwings are white, shaded with grey brown near the margin, more extensively in the female. Fringes white and antennae simple. The related Conochares arizonae is similar but has more dark scaling on both wings and lacks the yellow-orange of binocula.
Scientific Name
Tarachidia binocula
Common Name
Prairie Bird-dropping Moth
Habitat
Dry native grassland.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta in late June.
Identification
A small (approx. 2 cm wingspan) bright white moth with the outer half of the forewing crossed by a broad dark brown and grey band except for the costa, which is white for two-thirds of its length and divided at the…
A small (approx. 2 cm wingspan) bright white moth with the outer half of the forewing crossed by a broad dark brown and grey band except for the costa, which is white for two-thirds of its length and divided at the mid-point by an orange patch. There is a round dark spot ringed with paler scales at the end of the disc. The hindwings are white, shaded with grey brown near the margin, more extensively in the female. Fringes white and antennae simple. The related Conochares arizonae is similar but has more dark scaling on both wings and lacks the yellow-orange of binocula.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light, but are also easily flushed during the day. There is a single annual brood. The larva has not been described and the host plants are unknown.
Conservation
Rarely collected in Alberta, which is at the northwestern edge of its range.
Diet Info
Unknown
Range
Great Plains from southeastern southern Manitoba west to southeastern Alberta, southwest to Arizona. Also in remnant prairies east of the Mississippi (Ohio, Illinois). In Alberta it has been collected in the arid…
Great Plains from southeastern southern Manitoba west to southeastern Alberta, southwest to Arizona. Also in remnant prairies east of the Mississippi (Ohio, Illinois). In Alberta it has been collected in the arid shortgrass prairie region, north to Medicine Hat.
Citation
Page Citation for Tarachidia binocula
Page Citation
"Species Details - Tarachidia binocula, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3696. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
References
Author
Rings, R. W.; Metzler, E. H; Arnold, F. J. and D. H. Harris
Title
The owlet moths of Ohio. Order Lepidoptera family Noctuidae.
Publication Date
1992
Series Title
Bulletin of the Ohio Biological Survey
Volume
9
Pages
219
Specimen Information
There are 15 specimens of this Species.
UASM13779 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Hat
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-06-25
UASM34539 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Melville Beach
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2003-05-30
UASM58070 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2004-06-24
UASM57228 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2004-06-23
UASM57537 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-06-16
UASM58429 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-21
UASM58430 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-21
UASM77930 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-06-16
UASM99478 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-08-10
UASM99479 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-08-10
JD4988 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Orion
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Rose, A.
Date Collected2008-07-08
UASM163387 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Burstall
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-07-01
UASM163388 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Burstall
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-07-01
UASM163389 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Burstall
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-07-01
UASM163390 - Tarachidia binocula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Burstall
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-07-13